August 12 2020 Update

Every day is different - one of the best things about my job.  But right now every day seems a bit more different than I would have expected.  Thanks to all of our employees for being patient as we get through the challenges of pandemics, protests and all the rest!

CORONAVIRUS STATS

Nationally, the CDC reports 5,119,711 cases with 163,651 fatalities.

Utah:  45,090 cases (up 338 from yesterday); 2,696 hospitalizations; 351 deaths (up 2 from yesterday)

Utah County:  8,983 cases (up 96 from yesterday); 422 hospitalizations; 37 deaths (no change from yesterday)

NEWS YOU CAN USE

• For those Bachelor fans out there, Provo's own Bri Stauss has won the spin-off show "The Bachelor: Listen to your Heart" that combines the bachelor with a music competition.
• Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden has announced California Senator Kamala Harris as his running mate for the 2020 election.
• Today is both International Youth Day and National Middle Child Day.
• The Bureau of Land Management will now be headquartered in the West in Colorado’s Grand Junction after Interior Secretary David Bernhardt signed an official order for the relocation.

PROVO SOCIAL MEDIA

THE MAYOR'S DAY

Today, Mayor Kaufusi:

• Attended a couple meetings with legal
• Met with the Police Chief
• Met with the City Ombudsman
• Interviewed with Fox 13
• Met with a City Councilor
• Participated in a Zoom meeting with state elected officials
• Met with a concerned citizen

FUN STUFF

If you enjoyed the movie Clue (or the game for that matter), you might enjoy this most recent adaptation - 2020 Clue Edition.  From the calm of the first quarter to the panic of the summer, this one feels a lot like the real 2020! And it is way less than a minute long.



Thanks again for all you are doing!

Wayne

August 11 2020 Update

Today has been another busy day - lots of meetings and not a lot for time for much else.  

One thing I found over the weekend was a really excellent article from the Salt Lake Tribune that goes into detail about the facts around the Coronavirus and the data that tells us what is really happening with the pandemic.  Maybe I am too wonky, but I really enjoyed diving a little deeper into the issues and looking at other data sources beyond our traditional numbers like the ones below.  If you have an interest in learning more about these data points, I would highly recommend Andy Larsen's article.  

CORONAVIRUS STATS

Nationally, the CDC reports 5,064,171 cases with 162,407 fatalities.

Utah: 44,752 cases (up 362 from yesterday); 2,677 hospitalizations; 349 deaths (up 4 from yesterday)

Utah County:  8,887 cases (up 93 from yesterday); 418 hospitalizations; 37 deaths (no change from yesterday)

NEWS YOU CAN USE

• Just after their over 100-day streak of no new COVID-19 cases, New Zealand has seen 4 new cases, all members of the same family in South Auckland.
• There is a brushing scam going around in Utah, where individuals are receiving random packages in the mail that they didn't order or pay for. This is an attempt to boost ratings by stealing individuals' identities and writing themselves positive reviews. Currently individuals are receiving seeds from China that weren't ordered, and the Utah Department of Agriculture is asking individuals to bring the entire package to them for analysis.
• Eight years ago today, Usain Bolt capped his London Olympics experience by leading Jamaica to victory in a world-record 36.84 seconds in the 4x100 meters.

PROVO SOCIAL MEDIA

THE MAYOR'S DAY

Today, Mayor Kaufusi:

• Met with the President of United Way
• Met with the Assistant CAO
• Met with the Police Chief
• Met with the city PIO
• Met as the Utah County COVID-19 Economic Recovery Committee
• Met to discuss apartments in Provo
• Met with a representative of the UV Chamber
• Met with the Redevelopment Agency Executive Committee
• Met about cultural issues in Provo

FUN STUFF

This might not be something that you would consider as my typical "fun stuff" item, but the whole idea of how communities feel about police officers has been on my mind (I wonder why) for several months now.  This video was a breath of fresh air for me this weekend when I found it.  I hope it helps add perspective to what we hear so frequently among the many voices out there.  We all know that every public agency has room for improvement, but this reminded me that there is a lot of good going on in law enforcement and its interaction with the community.  

Have a great evening, and we will touch base again tomorrow!

Wayne

August 10 2020 Update

Welcome to the new week.  There are lots of things going on, but it was nice to have a few days off to regroup and reconnect with family and friends (in a socially distanced way, of course).  Hope your weekend included a little recharging.

CORONAVIRUS STATS

Nationally, the CDC reports 5,023,649 cases with 161,842 fatalities.

Utah:  44,390 cases; 2,642 hospitalizations; 345 deaths

Utah County:  8,794 cases; 412 hospitalizations; 37 deaths

NEWS YOU CAN USE

• A new fire southwest of Fairfield, UT has started Sunday afternoon and is 120 acres and 15% contained.
• The human-caused Upper Provo Fire is now 44% contained, but still burning.
• New Zealand as officially gone 101 days without any new cases of COVID-19, and the country is returning to regular life.  The backstory is kind of fascinating - PM Jacinda Ardern says they "went fast and went early."

PROVO SOCIAL MEDIA

THE MAYOR'S DAY

Today, Mayor Kaufusi:

• Met with the Fire Chief
• Met with the Police Chief
• Participated in a COVID-19 phone call for Utah County
• Held a meeting with Mayor's office staff
• Held a communications meeting
• Met with the City PIO
• Held a meeting with her executive team
• Met with the Assistant CAO
• Had a meeting with the Deputy Mayor
• Met about properties in Provo

FUN STUFF

So, one of my old high school buddies sent me this image last week.  Dave has always had a great sense of humor and he found a few classics about 2020 and the challenges we have been facing.  It's a good idea to find ways to laugh about some of our experiences.

Hope you can occasionally laugh at the weirdness all around us.  It is one the best ways to keep some context and perspective.

Wayne

August 6 2020 Update

We are at Thursday, which is always a good thing for our 4/10 working city employees.  However, for many of us, 4/10 is more of a wish than a reality.  I find myself having more and more remote meetings with outside stakeholders and groups on Fridays.  But overall, I am a big fan of the 4/10 schedule.

Oh, and in case you were wondering, I am the only Mayor's office staff member who got fired from my first teenage job.  It's a long and sad tale.  But that probably explains why I didn't pursue a career in grounds-keeping, and why I have great appreciation for those who did!

CORONAVIRUS STATS

Nationally, the CDC reports 4,802,491 cases with 157,631 fatalities.

Utah:  42,915 cases (up 587 from yesterday); 2,554 hospitalizations; 330 deaths (up 3 from yesterday)

Utah County:  8,434 cases (up 163 from yesterday); 388 hospitalizations; 37 deaths (up 1 from yesterday)

NEWS YOU CAN USE

• BYU plans to open their football season on Monday September 7th with an away game against the U.S. Naval Academy.
• The American Red Cross is hosting a blood drive in Provo on Wednesday, August 12th, between 12pm and 6 pm.
• As many have returned and are returning to work, the need to stay safe is important. US News compiled a list of 17 things we can do to stay healthy while we go out, including washing masks regularly, touching as few surfaces as possible, carrying disinfecting wipes or hand sanitizer.

pROVO Policy Update

In an effort to help encourage safe practices, Mayor Kaufusi has changed the mask policies in city buildings, and has a fun little gift for all full time employees to help with this endeavor.

PROVO SOCIAL MEDIA

THE MAYOR'S DAY

Today, Mayor Kaufusi:

• Participated in the Municipal Council Leadership Meeting
• Held a committee meeting on the new City Center building
• Met on building and developments for the city with a local developer and members of the City team
• Held a strategy meeting about upcoming projects for the city
• Participated in a MPO (Metropolitan Planning Organization) Regional Planning Committee meeting to discuss transportation projects in Utah County

FUN STUFF

I mentioned some time ago that I love Billy Joel.  So a week or so ago I ran across this A Capella cover of For the Longest Time, with lyrics adjusted for the Covid-19 pandemic.  It is performed by a group of Canadian musicians and recorded by the Phoenix Chamber Choir.  It is well worth the listen - great message and excellent vocals!

Have a great weekend for those who are not working this weekend.  Actually - even if you are working, have a great weekend.  We'll look forward to connecting again next Monday!

Wayne

August 5 2020 Update

Good news this morning - no more rat evidence in the Mayor’s office!   Let’s keep hoping it stays that way.  Several folks (including my wife) say they can’t unsee the photo of the rat next to the ruler.  Sorry - I probably should have warned everyone before you saw the photo.  I apologize for any undue trauma from yesterday.

CORONAVIRUS STATS

Nationally, the CDC reports 4,748,806 cases with 156,311 fatalities.

Utah:  42,328 cases (up 421 from yesterday); 2,519 hospitalizations; 327 deaths (up 6 from yesterday)

Utah County:  8,271 cases (up 106 from yesterday); 382 hospitalizations; 36 deaths (up 1 from yesterday)

NEWS YOU CAN USE

• In case you haven't heard, Provo, Orem and Utah County have bested Salt Lake City, West Valley City and Salt Lake County in a showdown on who could get the greatest increase in residents filling out the 2020 Census. The total average increase for the south was 1.36%. The total average increase for the north was 1.13%.
• SAP, owner of Qualtrics here in Provo has announced that they plan to take Qualtrics public, though they will retain the majority of shares for the company.
• Disinfecting supplies are still hard to come by, and disinfecting has never been more important, so the CDC has given guidelines as well as recipes to make your own disinfectant at home.

PROVO SOCIAL MEDIA

THE MAYOR'S DAY

Today, Mayor Kaufusi:

• Went on a walking tour with Bike Walk Provo
• Held an internal meeting on home developments in Provo
• Met with the Director over City Council
• Met with the Fire Chief
• Participated in a meeting with UDOT
• Met to discuss CARES Act funing

FUN STUFF

Today I have some fun facts about the Mayor's office staff. All of us had different introductions into the working world, most of us in our teens. Sometimes it's fun to look back on our early jobs and see when and where everyone go their start!

Mayor: Working in a sandwich shop on Center called "Farmer in the Deli"

Wayne: Lawn mower and grounds maintenance at the local Post Office

Isaac: Papaya farm worker

Dixon: Busboy at Spaghetti Machine / pigeon trapper and seller

Nicole: Burger King

Kaye: Waitress at Ponderosa

Amber: Swim Instructor / Cashier at Rubio's

Just in case you wondered!   Thanks everyone for all you do and for hanging in there with us through all of the challenges we are currently experiencing.  

Wayne

August 4, 2020 Update

Council meeting Tuesdays are always busy.  Today we made a presentation to the Council on the CARES Act projects and the CARES Act funding contract with Utah County. 

CORONAVIRUS STATS

Nationally, the CDC reports 4,649,102 cases with 154,471 fatalities.

Utah:  41,907 cases (up 378 from yesterday); 2,482 hospitalizations; 321 deaths (up 7 from yesterday)

Utah County:  8,165 cases (up 118 from yesterday); 376 hospitalizations; 35 deaths (no change from yesterday)

NEWS YOU CAN USE

• We are working on the installation and implementation of a new system for many of our HR-related programs. Check out our introductory video to Workday.  We expect to implement phase 1 of the project next spring and the full implementation by the end of 2021.  

• Sundance has announced it intends to reduce seating and shorten the length of their 2021 festival.

• The East coast has been bracing for a hurricane, but when it hit it was downgraded to a tropical storm. "Isaias" hit eastern North Carolina, and affected several states along the coast.

PROVO SOCIAL MEDIA

THE MAYOR'S DAY

Today, Mayor Kaufusi:

• Held a meeting with the Department Directors
• Participated in the Utah County Economic Recovery Committee meeting
• Met with the Police Chief
• Participated in City Council Work meeting
• Attended City Council meeting

FUN STUFF

If you haven't heard, construction nearby sent some rats into the City Center, and while an exterminator was laying traps, he found this guy and put him next to a ruler for size comparison. If you are squeamish, you might not want to look too closely (the rat is no longer with us).  Our office was not the only one at the city center which was impacted by our rodent visitors.  So this is one of the very few circumstances where the "Welcome Home" motto really doesn't apply!

One of the casualties of our City Center project is that we have disrupted the land, but it is a small price to pay as the project progresses.  But we do have a fun war (or horror) story!

Wayne

August 3, 2020 Update

Welcome to August everyone!  Julie and I were commenting over the weekend that the only way we have been able to keep track of time this summer has been in our garden.  Days tend to run together, but plants at least grow and produce.  The garden is doing well and it is probably the place where we feel the most "grounded," so to speak! [Insert "rim shot" here]

Also, for those who have asked, I enjoyed a day off last week attending our nephew's wedding.  What I didn't love so much was cleaning carpets in anticipation of having some of our kids and grandkids over to visit on Friday and Saturday.  Family was fun - carpet cleaning not so much.  :)

CORONAVIRUS STATS

Nationally, the CDC reports 4,649,102 cases with 154,471 fatalities.

Utah:  41,529 cases;  2,450 hospitalizations; 314 deaths

Utah County:  8,047 cases; 375 hospitalizations; 35 deaths

NEWS YOU CAN USE

• BYU police are investigating shots fired at the security booth outside the Missionary Training Center.
• Astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken return to Earth less than a day after departing the International Space Station. Their capsule landed safely off the Florida coast Sunday, skirting a tropical storm, to cap their two-month mission.
• The Upper Provo wildfire continues to burn, impacting 378 acres and reaching 5% containment by 10:30 a.m Saturday morning.

PROVO SOCIAL MEDIA

THE MAYOR'S DAY

Today, Mayor Kaufusi:

• Met with the Police Chief
• Met with the Fire Chief
• Met with Mayor's Office Staff
• Participated in a Covid-19 informational call for Utah County
• Met with her executive team
• Met with the City PIO
• Met with the Assistant CAO
• Met with the Deputy Mayor
• Had a meeting with Legal

FUN STUFF

There are certainly days when I get fed up with technology.  Not that anyone ever feels that way about Cayenta, but I don't think I have been that frustrated with my tablet device.  So, just in case you ever wondered, this is what Blendtec can do with your iPad.  Whew - at least that felt a little therapeutic! 

Thanks again for all you do and for how you keep making life better for our residents.

Wayne